City of CommerceNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94City of CommerceMon, 12 Sep 2016 06:56:31 +0000City of Commercehttp://ketr.org
Jerrod KnightTexas A&M University-Commerce interim president Dr. Ray Keck, III, is working alongside City of Commerce mayor Wyman Williams in order to create an environment that encourages University employees to not only work in Commerce but to choose to live there, too. The idea of a "University village" is explored by Williams and Keck alongside Jerrod Knight during the September airing of The President's Perspective, a monthly half-hour radio conversation with Keck. Hear the full program here. A transcript follows. Jerrod Knight: Hello, and welcome to the President's Perspective, a monthly half-hour chat with the Interim President and CEO of the Texas A&M University-Commerce, Dr. Ray Keck. I'm Jerrod Knight. On today's program, we're exploring Town and Gown Relations between the university and the City of Commerce with our guest, the Honorable Wyman Williams, Mayor of the City of Commerce. First these quick headlines. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has announcedKeck, Williams Explore Town And Gown Relationshttp://ketr.org/post/keck-williams-explore-town-and-gown-relations
88312 as http://ketr.orgThu, 08 Sep 2016 18:35:05 +0000Keck, Williams Explore Town And Gown RelationsMark HaslettThe City of Commerce is set to get a new mayor next week. Wyman Williams won the mayoral election last Saturday, and he’s scheduled to be sworn in before the city council begins its regular meeting next Tuesday evening. Commerce Conundrum: Raising Revenues Without Raising Taxeshttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-conundrum-raising-revenues-without-raising-taxes
83836 as http://ketr.orgFri, 13 May 2016 15:28:41 +0000Commerce Conundrum: Raising Revenues Without Raising TaxesJohn Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says improvements to the Commerce Municipal Airport runway are nearly complete. The mayor says along with the resurfacing of the runway the city has realized that, at 3,900 feet, the runway is long enough for small jets to land at the airport. The city had intended to seek a grant to extend the runway, but Ballotti says the city will now seek a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to build hangars at the airport. The mayor says the city will also seek a new state grant to replace two substandard homes with new homes for qualifying families in the next year. The city has replaced 28 homes under similar grants over the past 12 years, Ballotti says. City of Commerce nears completion of airport improvementshttp://ketr.org/post/city-commerce-nears-completion-airport-improvements
75557 as http://ketr.orgFri, 16 Oct 2015 11:00:00 +0000City of Commerce nears completion of airport improvements The City of Commerce along with assistance from Texas A&M University-Commerce has been testing mosquitoes for various diseases by trapping them and sending them to the Department of State Health Services. On August 12, 2015, emergency management officials released information notifying citizens that a positive test was received for the West Nile virus. Although the areas that tested positive on August 12 are now testing negative, the City has received two additional tests that have come back with a positive reading for West Nile virus. Commerce and A&M-Commerce emergency management officials want to reassure our citizens and students that no human reports of West Nile have been reported. City staff will begin spraying for mosquitoes in the areas in which the infected mosquitoes were found and will spray continuously for three days, beginning today, Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Emergency management officials along with city staff will continue to test for infected mosquitoes inCity, University mesh in measures against mosquitoeshttp://ketr.org/post/city-university-mesh-measures-against-mosquitoes
73248 as http://ketr.orgThu, 20 Aug 2015 16:43:46 +0000City, University mesh in measures against mosquitoesJohn Mark DempseyCommerce's Norris Community will hold a reunion Friday and Saturday, July 24-25. Ivory Moore park is the location for the Norris Community Reunion. This is an event sponsored by Alliance Bank, the Commerce Community Action Program, the City of Commerce-Tourism & Events, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and Texas A&M University-Commerce. The day starts at noon with Fun in the Park for families & kids. At 6 p.m., Alliance Bank will grill hamburgers and hot dogs. Donald Ward and the "Blues Doctors" will entertain from 6-8 p.m. There will be door prizes. Guests on the Blacklands Cafe to discuss the event are Mayor John Ballotti, Harry Turner and Terra Turner of the Mount Moriah Church, and Bob Johnson of the Commerce Community Action Program. Commerce's Norris Community hosts reunion, July 24-25http://ketr.org/post/commerces-norris-community-hosts-reunion-july-24-25
71771 as http://ketr.orgThu, 16 Jul 2015 11:00:00 +0000Commerce's Norris Community hosts reunion, July 24-25John Mark DempseyThe mayor of Commerce, Dr. John Ballotti, says the city is close to landing a new industry thanks to the efforts of the Economic Development Committee, led by Bonnie Hunter. The industry, Polara Engineering, is based in California and is a maker of traffic-light switches among other products. Commerce optimistic for industrial prospecthttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-optimistic-industrial-prospect
68245 as http://ketr.orgThu, 23 Apr 2015 11:00:00 +0000Commerce optimistic for industrial prospectJohn Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the city will soon submit a state grant application for construction of the long-discussed skateboard park, and he's optimistic the grant will be approved. Also, the city will again host girls state softball tournaments this summer at the much-improved Eddie Moore Sports Complex, and the city has begun filling in the municipal swimming pool, which was in need of major repairs. Commerce mayor: Optimistic about grant for skateboard parkhttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-mayor-optimistic-about-grant-skateboard-park
65205 as http://ketr.orgThu, 12 Feb 2015 12:00:00 +0000Commerce mayor: Optimistic about grant for skateboard parkJohn Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the purpose of the city council's recent action of imposing fees for the regular inspection of apartments and rental homes is aimed at safety and beautification, through demolition of substandard housing. The mayor says the city's rental property inspection procedure will likely continue to change as property owners and the city continue to communicate with each other. Mayor Ballotti: Inspection fees related to safety, beautificationhttp://ketr.org/post/mayor-ballotti-inspection-fees-related-safety-beautification
64978 as http://ketr.orgMon, 09 Feb 2015 12:00:00 +0000Mayor Ballotti: Inspection fees related to safety, beautificationJohn Mark DempseyAmong the local organizations helped by Commerce Community Cares is the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Ricky Harris, director of the department, says about 700 to 1,000 children participate in Parks and Recreation activities every year, and some would not be able to participate without the help of Commerce Community Cares. Dick Latson says the organization's annual fund-raising campaign is continuing. Commerce Community Cares assists Parks & Rechttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-community-cares-assists-parks-rec
64200 as http://ketr.orgWed, 21 Jan 2015 12:00:00 +0000John Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti discusses plans for sidewalk repairs in downtown Commerce, progress on the Municipal Airport improvement project, and the renaming of the Norris Community Center as the Ann and Harry Champion Community Center. Commerce mayor on sidewalks, airport, Ann & Harry Champion Centerhttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-mayor-sidewalks-airport-ann-harry-champion-center
63616 as http://ketr.orgMon, 12 Jan 2015 12:00:00 +0000John Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the current campaign of demolishing substandard houses will be organized in regions, corresponding to the city's regular curbside pickup schedule for debris. And the mayor says a state/federal program will fund the construction of three new houses in Commerce. Commerce demolitions organized by regions; state program will build new homeshttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-demolitions-organized-regions-state-program-will-build-new-homes
62713 as http://ketr.orgTue, 16 Dec 2014 12:00:00 +0000Commerce demolitions organized by regions; state program will build new homesJohn Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the City Council will discuss in January the option of using sales taxes to pay for a repair of the city pool or a new splash park, or neither project. Commerce is a Type A sales tax city. Type A sales taxes may be used for recreational projects, if the voters approve, the mayor says. Commerce voters may get to decide on pool repair or splash parkhttp://ketr.org/post/commerce-voters-may-get-decide-pool-repair-or-splash-park
62293 as http://ketr.orgMon, 08 Dec 2014 12:00:00 +0000Commerce voters may get to decide on pool repair or splash parkJohn Mark DempseyCommerce City Manager Marc Clayton says an inspector representing the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) visited the shelter and gave positive comments to Clayton, with a favorable formal report expected soon. Following the recent controversy concerning the shelter, a complaint had been filed. Mayor Dr. John Ballotti acknowledges that he made an error in not allowing citizens to speak concerning the shelter at the council's most recent meeting, and says if they appear at the next meeting, November 18, they'll be allowed to speak. City of Commerce expects good report from SPCA animal shelter inspectionhttp://ketr.org/post/city-commerce-expects-good-report-spca-animal-shelter-inspection
61072 as http://ketr.orgThu, 06 Nov 2014 12:00:00 +0000City of Commerce expects good report from SPCA animal shelter inspectionJohn Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the city has developed a localized page of information on the Ebola crisis. And the mayor says the popular "Halloween on the Square" event will be on Halloween Night, Friday, October 31. City of Commerce offers Ebola info on web site; 'Halloween on the Square' will be Oct. 31http://ketr.org/post/city-commerce-offers-ebola-info-web-site-halloween-square-will-be-oct-31
60316 as http://ketr.orgMon, 20 Oct 2014 11:00:00 +0000City of Commerce offers Ebola info on web site; 'Halloween on the Square' will be Oct. 31John Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the contractor for the street improvement project is being fined $1,000 per day for not completing the project by the end of August. The mayor says he expects all street improvements in the current phase of street repairs will be complete by the end of the year. Contractor being fined for late completion of Commerce street projecthttp://ketr.org/post/contractor-being-fined-late-completion-commerce-street-project
58959 as http://ketr.orgMon, 15 Sep 2014 11:00:00 +0000Contractor being fined for late completion of Commerce street projectJohn Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says it appears that city of Commerce taxes will remain the same for 2014-15. The mayor credits City Manager Marc Clayton for good fiscal management in avoiding a tax hike. Dr. Ballotti also discusses what he considers a successful arrangement that allowed Commerce citizens to use the A&M-Commerce Morris Recreation Center and its swimming pool over the summer, and the status of the street repair program. City of Commerce taxes will remain the samehttp://ketr.org/post/city-commerce-taxes-will-remain-same
58677 as http://ketr.orgMon, 08 Sep 2014 11:00:00 +0000City of Commerce taxes will remain the sameJohn Mark DempseyTexas A&M University-Commerce President Dr. Dan Jones supports the campaign of associate professor of counseling Dr. LaVelle Hendricks to "buy Commerce." Dr. Hendricks is promoting the importance of A&M-Commerce faculty and staff, and employees of other Commerce organizations, patronizing Commerce businesses. Oct. 7-11 will be "Shop Commerce" week. A&M-C President Dr. Jones supports 'Shop Commerce'http://ketr.org/post/am-c-president-dr-jones-supports-shop-commerce
58209 as http://ketr.orgTue, 26 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000John Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the City Council has decided a tax increase won't be necessary in fiscal year 2014-15, and city employees will see a pay increase. The mayor says a committee has been formed to study installing fountains in downtown Commerce in the open area next to the new Dr Pepper mural. Also, the mayor says the current Monroe Street paving project south of Live Oak Street should be complete in mid-September. Commerce taxes won't rise; Monroe St. to be finished 'mid-September'http://ketr.org/post/commerce-taxes-wont-rise-monroe-st-be-finished-mid-september
57482 as http://ketr.orgMon, 11 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000Commerce taxes won't rise; Monroe St. to be finished 'mid-September'John Mark DempseyCommerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says ground breaking should take place soon on a new CVS Pharmacy on State Highway 24/50 near Whitley Hall, the Texas A&M University-Commerce high-rise dormitory. Already underway near the same location is construction of the new Hunt Regional Healthcare emergency-care facility. CVS Pharmacy ground breaking expected soonhttp://ketr.org/post/cvs-pharmacy-ground-breaking-expected-soon
57364 as http://ketr.orgThu, 07 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000CVS Pharmacy ground breaking expected soonJerrod Knight88.9 KETR has learned through A&M-Commerce professor Dr. LaVelle Hendricks that former Commerce mayor, councilmember, and the first African American administrator at ETSU, Ivory Moore, Sr., has died at the age of 90. According to Hendricks, a message was received this morning from Deacon Harry Turner at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Commerce. The news was confirmed with Moore's son Donnie Brooks, who is in Dallas with Linnie Wilson Moore, Ivory Moore's wife. Ivory Moore, Sr. served as the first African American administrator at ETSU, now A&M-Commerce. In 1972 Moore became the Director of Minority Affairs at ETSU where he wrote many successful grants that established programs supporting disadvantaged, minority and first generation students, including Upward Bound. Mr. Moore was also instrumental in bringing Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity to the ETSU campus. While in Commerce, Moore became an extremely active member within the community, serving as a deacon at Mt. Moriah TempleFormer educator, administrator, civic leader Ivory Moore, Sr. has diedhttp://ketr.org/post/former-educator-administrator-civic-leader-ivory-moore-sr-has-died
57156 as http://ketr.orgFri, 01 Aug 2014 14:06:53 +0000Former educator, administrator, civic leader Ivory Moore, Sr. has died